It has been a long journey from Everton trainee to
England international,
but in an era when Premier League managers despair at pampered wannabes who emerge from youth academies with outsized egos and an exaggerated sense of entitlement, 31-year-old Osman is a welcome throwback.

Much of his work goes unnoticed. Sharp in the tackle and swift with the ball, the Everton midfielder is a vastly underrated passer, while his goal return overshadows many more celebrated opponents. His stats bear out his brilliance as an all-rounder - there are very few weaknesses in the Osman armoury.

No player has appeared on more Everton team-sheets under David Moyes. And as someone who never gives anything less than total commitment and consistently adds up to more than the sum of his parts, perhaps no player better embodies the ethos of his manager.

Osman will join Steven Gerrard in the England squad. Both grew up in Huyton. Both were born within a year of each other. One chose red the other blue. While Liverpool and England captain Gerrard will win his 100th cap against Sweden on Wednesday, Osman is simply hoping to win his first.

Osman's career

Signed his first professional contract with Everton as a 19-year-old in 2000

Spent three months on loan at Carlisle in 2002-03, scoring three goals in 15 games

Loaned to Derby for the second half of the 2003-04 season. Scored three in 17 games

313 appearances for Everton, 45 goals

Though he is eligible through his father to represent either Turkey or Cyprus, he only ever wanted to play for England.

In recent months, Osman's belief that he would earn a full England cap - to add to his schoolboy appearances - appeared to be wavering.

Speaking in September, he admitted it had not been easy to be passed over by a succession of England managers.

"I wouldn't say I have accepted getting called up for England is going to elude me," Osman said.

“He doesn't make headlines but when he isn't there you really miss him”

Peter ReidEngland and Everton midfielder

"It is what it is. I am an Everton player and try and give my best for them and if I was to ever get called up then that would be great.

"As you start to get 30-plus the chances start to diminish but as an English lad you still keep going for your club and if it ever happens that would be great."

Peter Reid, the former Everton and England midfielder, believes the call-up is well deserved.

"This is great recognition for Leon. He has played consistently very, very well for Everton for a long time," Reid, who only made his England debut at 29, told BBC Sport.

"He is one of those players who is, dare I say it, underrated. He just gets on with the job and does everything very well. He doesn't make headlines but when he is not there you really miss him. It is a fantastic opportunity for him and that is all you can ask for."

Few will dispute that Osman deserves this call-up but time is now against him. Hodgson is keen to build the England midfield round the blossoming talents of Jack Wilshere and Tom Cleverley. Osman is a player in that mould but having gained that elusive international recognition he faces an equally tough battle to hang around.

The reaction on Twitter

Rio Ferdinand:
"Big shout out to Leon Osman on getting in the Eng squad...played well for Everton for yrs, quality player."

Phil Neville:
"Congratulations ossie a reward for determination perseverance-great moment when gaffa announced on the training ground he was in the squad!"

Ian Taylor:
"Massive well done to my old #dcfc team mate Leon Osman on his #England call up!"

Phil Thompson:
"Well done to Jonjo and Raheem and congrats to Leon Osman on their call ups to England squads."

"England have a lot of very talented young midfield players and I am delighted to see Jack Wilshere back in the squad because I think he is an outstanding prospect," Reid added.

"But if Leon gets a chance he won't let anyone down. Nothing fazes him, he keeps the ball really well and he has a goal in him. He is a tribute to David Moyes."

News of the call-up came as no surprise to those at Goodison Park when the Everton manager announced it to the rest of the squad at training on Thursday morning. For almost a decade, Osman has been part of the furniture at Everton, a cornerstone of the club's attempts to challenge for silverware.

Osman is not the type to get carried away. Those at Finch Farm, Everton's training ground, said he took the news with a smile but no fanfare on Thursday. Nothing changed. As always his head went down when the whistle went and dreams of England caps were forgotten.

Wilshere's return may take the headlines once again but that is the way Osman likes it, just under the radar.

I feel the same as many others on here today. Leon has done well over the years for Everton, but not always. He has never been the target of the bigger clubs, not good enough. His selection shows the paucity of England's forwards. We know there's a problem because we're still getting names like Crouch, Owen, Zamora cropping up. But good luck to Leon, recognition at any age is recognition!

Nothing against Osman, who I admire as a player and a professional, but I think this trend of veteran debutants suggests a lack of good young players coming through. It reminds me of the Italy scene following the 2006 world cup win, where 30yr old players who weren't good enough to displace Totti, Del Piero, Cannavaro et al but were better than the 25yr olds arriving on the scene began to feature.

couldn't give a monkeys anymore about England. time and time again they have been a waste of time. the same rubbish players get picked for example the great Wayne rooney who has worked wonders for England. the sooner this international is over the better.. lets accept reality that England will never win anything.

Class player. Funny thing about comparing him to Gerrard is that Osman might actually be a better role model for Wilshere and Cleverly since he is more like them (in terms of style and role) but with greater experience. SG is of course a a great player and he has a lot to give, but if you're planning for the future it might pay to have folks the younger players can emulate on the pitch.

@14 "Total waste of time - we should be looking to the next generation - is he really going to be playing in Rio at 33?"

Next generation... again? England should have learnt not to count chickens any more. Remember at PL's foundation the aim of 'helping England win a major competition?' 1991! Sounds laughably hollow now. A useful talented player and a true professional. Delighted for Osman.

@ 102 - If this was a competitive game, then yeah, too soon. However, since there are no 'B' internationals, good opportunity to get him involved and makes a lot more sense than several other players who could have been there - e.g. Lampard, Barton, Nolan, Barry, Carrick, etc. Shelvey is an intelligent player and has some skill - making him a standout prospect for 'future England'.

So underrated in possession and his ability with his feet. I'd go as far to say he's better than most senior mids; Carrick, Barry, Milner and Downing.

Younger players have time to improve, however there are older players that deserve at least a cap ,such as: Noble and Britton and more time should be given to the likes of Huddlestone, Caulker, Dawson, Shawcross and Richards (when fit).

I struggle to understand the hype about Shelvey. He had a couple of decent early games but has been poor ever since. He was dreadful last night and I fail to see what he brings to any side. Many Liverpool fans seem equally mystified and claim he isn't good enough for the club. Given Liverpool are languishing in the bottom half and are struggling one wonders why Shelvey even gets a mention.

And I know you were on the wind up to Liverpool fans @ 83, but I think Shelvey and Sterling's inclusion are the most exciting selections Hodgson has made so far. They still both have a lot of learning to do, but these are the sort of games to learn in from an England perspective. I think it's too soon for Young to be back in (along with Wilshere), and Welbeck isn't playing enough for me.

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